Showing posts with label Bryan Hitch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bryan Hitch. Show all posts

Saturday, March 23, 2019

Review: YOUNG MONSTERS IN LOVE

YOUNG MONSTERS IN LOVE
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally published on Patreon.]

STORY: Kyle Higgins; Tim Seeley; Mairghread Scott; Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing; Paul Dini; Mark Russell; Steve Orlando; Alisa Kwitney; Phil Hester; James Robinson
PENCILS: Kelley Jones; Giuseppe Camuncoli; Bryan Hitch; Javier Fernandez; Guillem March; Frazer Irving; Nick Klein; Stephanie Hans; Mirko Colak; John McCrea
INKS: Kelley Jones; Cam Smith; Andrew Currie; Javier Fernandez; Guillem March; Frazer Irving; Nick Klein; Stephanie Hans; Mirko Colak; John McCrea
COLORS: Michelle Madsen; Tomeu Morey; Nathan Fairbairn; Trish Mulvihill; Dave McCaig; Frazer Irving; Nic Klein; Stephanie Hans; Michael Spider; John Kalisz
LETTERS: Rob Leigh; Clayton Cowles; Carlos M. Mangual; Sal Cipriano; Travis Lanham; Tom Napolitano; Dave Sharpe; Clem Robins
COVER: Kelley Jones with Michelle Madsen
80pp, Color, $9.99 U.S. (April 2018)

Rated T+ for “Teen Plus”

Young Monsters in Love in a one-shot, comic book anthology and holiday special from DC Comics.  A comic book celebration of Valentine's Day 2018, Young Monsters in Love presents 10 tales of twisted love and strange romance starring some of DC Comics' most most infamous monster and dark fantasy characters (although Swamp Thing, who is one of them, is in a different story).

Young Monsters in Love opens with Dr. Kirk Connors a.k.a. “Man-Bat” trying to find love again, but in the story “Nocturnal Animal,” he will learn that sometimes you have to stopping loving the one who will not stop loving you.  Frankenstein Agent of S.H.A.D.E. proves that Frankenstein has the soul of a poet, but will his “Bride” see that in “Pieces of Me.”

Superman gives a helping hand to Solomon Grundy in “Buried on Sunday,” but Superboy does not feel the love.  The Teen Titans' Raven has to take it to the dance floor in “The Dead Can Dance.”  Deadman takes a bullied child into his care and helps victim and victimizer in “Be My Valentine.”

Swamp Thing discovers that he can't have anything nice, even love, in “Heart-Shaped Box.”  Long-time friends and Doom Patrol haters, Monsieur Mallah & The Brain have to face the truth in “Visibility.”  I, Vampire is featured in “The Turning of Deborah Dancer.”  The Demon goes to Hell for one more kill in “To Hell and Gone.”  Finally, the Creature Commandos get bad news from the home front in “Dear Velcoro.”

In a recent article for The Washington Post, the author (Geraldine DeRuiter of everywhereist.com) offers a heart-breaking story, entitled “I thought my bully deserved an awful life. But then he had one.” that is also a great read.  She discovered that the boy who bullied her in school, a boy she always wished bad for, was actually murdered when he was 25-years-old.  She wondered, in this time when the culture has the long knives out for bullies, if we forget that bullies may need help as much, if not more, than their victims.

Without spoiling it, this is more or less the theme of writer Paul Dini and artist Guillem March's Deadman story, “Be My Valentine.”  First, to my imagination, it feels like a classic Deadman story from the 1960s, written by either Arnold Drake (Deadman's creator) or Jack Miller and drawn by either Carmine Infantino or Neal Adams. Secondly, Dini and March's story is one of the best comic book stories about bullying that I have ever read.  It alone is worth Young Monsters in Love's cover price of $9.99.  Colorist Dave McCaig and letterer Sal Cipriano also do some of their best work in creating a graphical package that is classic cool.

Young Monsters in Love is full of wonderful stories besides “Be My Valentine.”  Five of them are truly greats comic book short stories, including the powerful “Heart-Shaped Box” and “Visibility.”  Two are quite good, including the Creature Commandos story, which is my first reading experience of these characters.  Three of these stories are not as well executed as they could have been, including the opening Man-Bat story.

I usually ignore DC Comics' holiday specials, but Young Monsters in Love makes me think that I should not be so quick to dismiss them.  So if you missed it, dear readers, run back to your local comic book shop and find Young Monsters in Love.

9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, June 11, 2018

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 13, 2018

DC COMICS

NOV170403    BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE AF 1ST APPEARANCE BOB KANE    $30.00
NOV170405    BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE AF BATMAN BY GREG CAPULLO    $30.00
NOV170404    BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE AF HUSH BY JIM LEE    $30.00
APR180175    BATMAN PRELUDE TO THE WEDDING BATGIRL VS RIDDLER #1    $3.99
MAR180321    DC YOUNG ANIMAL MILK WARS TP (MR)    $19.99
APR180192    DETECTIVE COMICS #982    $2.99
APR180193    DETECTIVE COMICS #982 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR180341    ELSEWORLDS BATMAN TP VOL 03    $34.99
APR180250    ETERNITY GIRL #4 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
APR180196    FLASH #48    $2.99
APR180197    FLASH #48 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR180343    FLASH TP VOL 06 COLD DAY IN HELL REBIRTH    $16.99
APR180206    HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #46    $2.99
APR180207    HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #46 VAR ED    $2.99
APR180138    HAWKMAN #1    $3.99
APR180139    HAWKMAN #1 VAR ED    $3.99
APR180216    IMMORTAL MEN #3    $2.99
JAN180406    INFINITE CRISIS OMNIBUS HC NEW ED    $150.00
APR180147    MAN OF STEEL #3 (OF 6)    $3.99
MAR180299    MISTER MIRACLE #9 (OF 12) (MR)    $3.99
MAR180300    MISTER MIRACLE #9 (OF 12) VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
APR180220    NEW SUPER MAN & THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF CHINA #24    $3.99
APR180221    NEW SUPER MAN & THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF CHINA #24 VAR ED    $3.99
MAR180352    NEW SUPER MAN TP VOL 03 EQUILIBRIUM REBIRTH    $16.99
APR180151    PLASTIC MAN #1 (OF 6)    $3.99
APR180152    PLASTIC MAN #1 (OF 6) VAR ED    $3.99
APR180225    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #23    $3.99
APR180226    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #23 VAR ED    $3.99
MAR180353    RUFF AND REDDY SHOW TP    $16.99
APR180243    SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #26    $3.99
APR180244    SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #26 VAR ED    $3.99
APR180227    SIDEWAYS #5    $2.99
APR180229    SUICIDE SQUAD #43    $3.99
APR180230    SUICIDE SQUAD #43 VAR ED    $3.99
MAR180363    SWEET TOOTH TP BOOK 02 (MR)    $24.99
MAR180356    TEEN TITANS GO THIER GREATEST HIJINKS TP    $9.99
APR180154    TITANS SPECIAL #1    $4.99
APR180238    WILDSTORM MICHAEL CRAY #8    $3.99
APR180232    WONDER WOMAN #48    $2.99
APR180233    WONDER WOMAN #48 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR180358    WONDER WOMAN CONAN HC    $24.99

Monday, October 16, 2017

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 18, 2017

DC COMICS

AUG170191    AQUAMAN #29    $3.99
AUG170192    AQUAMAN #29 VAR ED    $3.99
AUG170352    ASTRO CITY #48    $3.99
AUG170199    BATMAN #33    $2.99
AUG170200    BATMAN #33 VAR ED    $2.99
JUL170311    BATMAN THE DROWNED #1 (METAL)    $3.99
AUG178453    BATMAN THE RED DEATH #1 2ND PTG (METAL)    $3.99
AUG170203    BATWOMAN #8    $3.99
AUG170204    BATWOMAN #8 VAR ED    $3.99
AUG170287    BOMBSHELLS UNITED #4    $2.99
AUG170303    FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS #3    $3.99
AUG170304    FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS #3 VAR ED    $3.99
MAY170338    GRAYSON THE SUPERSPY OMNIBUS HC    $99.99
AUG170176    GREEN ARROW #33    $2.99
AUG170177    GREEN ARROW #33 VAR ED    $2.99
AUG170217    GREEN LANTERNS #33    $2.99
AUG170218    GREEN LANTERNS #33 VAR ED    $2.99
AUG170225    HARLEY QUINN #30    $2.99
AUG170226    HARLEY QUINN #30 VAR ED    $2.99
JUL170477    HARLEY QUINN A ROGUES GALLERY THE DLX COVER ART COLL HC    $24.99
AUG170290    INJUSTICE 2 #12    $2.99
JUL170481    JLA THE NAIL ANOTHER NAIL DLX ED HC    $39.99
AUG170231    JUSTICE LEAGUE #31    $2.99
AUG170232    JUSTICE LEAGUE #31 VAR ED    $2.99
APR170460    JUSTICE LEAGUE MOVIE WONDER WOMAN STATUE    $150.00
AUG170316    MAD MAGAZINE #548    $5.99
AUG178454    MISTER MIRACLE #1 (OF 12) 3RD PTG (MR)    $3.99
AUG178455    MISTER MIRACLE #2 (OF 12) 2ND PTG (MR)    $3.99
AUG170241    NIGHTWING #31    $2.99
AUG170242    NIGHTWING #31 VAR ED    $2.99
JUL170492    SEBASTIAN O MYSTERY PLAY HC (MR)    $29.99
JUL170463    SUICIDE SQUAD REBIRTH DLX COLL HC BOOK 01    $34.99
AUG170255    SUPER SONS #9    $3.99
AUG170256    SUPER SONS #9 VAR ED    $3.99
AUG170253    SUPERMAN #33    $2.99
AUG170254    SUPERMAN #33 VAR ED    $2.99
AUG170315    TEEN TITANS GO #24    $2.99
AUG170261    TITANS #16    $3.99
AUG170262    TITANS #16 VAR ED    $3.99
AUG170263    TRINITY #14    $3.99
AUG170264    TRINITY #14 VAR ED    $3.99
AUG170283    WILD STORM #8    $3.99
AUG178372    WILD STORM #8 LEE VAR ED    $3.99
AUG170284    WILD STORM #8 VAR ED    $3.99
JUL170486    WILD STORM TP VOL 01    $16.99
AUG170295    WONDER WOMAN CONAN #2 (OF 6)    $3.99
AUG170296    WONDER WOMAN CONAN #2 (OF 6) VAR ED    $3.99

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

I Reads You Juniors May 2017 - Update #35

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Welcome to the I Reads You blog.  It's May 2017.  This post and its updates will offer news and blurb reviews.

From BleedingCool:  Spawn creator Todd McFarlane crashes a DC Comics panel at Megacon to confront an old Spawn cohort.

From TheComicsReporter:  2017 Reuben Award and NCS Divisional winners have been announced.

From ComicBookBin:  Johnny Bullet Episode #119.

From ComicBookBin:  Johnny Bullet Episode #119 in French.

From ComicBastards:  A review of "Samaritan Veritas #1" (Image Comics).

From BleedingCool:  Jae Lee announces his new creator owned series, "Fey," at Phoenix Comic Con.

From BleedingCool:  Some news on the firing of X-Men editor Daniel Ketchum at Marvel Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Bryan Hitch will write and draw Justice League beginning with issue #32 after writing and drawing an extra-sized #25.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Dark Nights: Metal" gets the front cover of upcoming "Diamond Previews."

From BleedingCool:  Rich Johnston offers the history of a book currently called "Monsters" by Barry Windsor-Smith.


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BLURB REVIEW:

Spawn #273 (Image Comics – May 2017) by Todd McFarlane and Szymon Kudranski with Fco Plascencia

I have not read a new issue of Spawn since Bill Clinton was president, but I have wanted to and just kept putting it off.  On a recent visit to a “local” comic book shop, I spied a single copy of Spawn #273 sitting on the shelf.  I swear that thing was calling to me.

I read Spawn for years, although I thought it was a mediocre comic book.  I kept reading it in hopes that it would get better, which it never did, although I always enjoyed the art of Greg Capullo, who drew Spawn during most of the time I read it.

I still find all of McFarlane's exposition in panels to be stiff and stilted, but the dialogue deserves at least a grade of “B.”  The story is about a mysterious vigilante called “The Soul Crusher” and also concerns Cyan Fitzgerald, the daughter of Spawn/Al Simmons ex-wife, Wanda, and her husband, Al's best friend, Terry Fitzgerald.  I have to say that those two story lines intrigue me enough to make me want to buy another issue.  [My regular shop generally does not carry McFarlane publications, which will hamper my efforts.]

So all this time later, I find that Spawn is actually a good read.  Who knew?  People who read it, I guess!

Posted:  Monday, May 22, 2017


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From CBR:  The "Batman and Justice League" manga will launch June 19th, 2017 in Japan's "Champion RED" magazine.


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BLURB REVIEW:

Weapon X #1 (Marvel Comics – June 2017) by Greg Pak, Greg Land, and Jay Leisten with Frank D'Armata

Although this is only first issue, I can tentatively say that the latest incarnation of the “Weapon X” comic book is probably the second really good X-Men comic book to come out of Marvel's current X-Men franchise revival.  The series premise seems to be that original Wolverine, now known as “Old Man Logan,” will lead a team to investigate the clandestine military project, known as “Weapon X,” which was thought to be disbanded.

In the first issue, Wolverine... oops... Logan (can't help myself) gets sliced-and-diced pretty badly, but he does notice that the slicers are using bladed weapons similar to that of Lady Deathstrike.  Logan figures that if he can find Deathstrike, then he can find his assailants, but first he has to convince an old buddy to join him on this hunt.

So I'm really intrigued by Greg Pak's story, and I have finally figured out that I usually like what Pak writes.  Greg Land and inker Jay Leisten are a good comic book art team, and well, their storytelling makes me want to come back for more.

Posted:  Thursday, May 18, 2017
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From BleedingCoolR.I.P. - British comic book creator, Edmund Bagwell, has died at the age of 50.

From Bleeding Cool:  Geoff John reveals "Doomsday Clock," a miniseries pitting Superman vs. Dr. Manhattan of "Watchmen."

From icv2R.I.P. - The "Golden Age" horror artist, Jay Disbrow, died on May 2, 2017 at the age of 91.  He was a prolific artist drawing pre-Code horror comics.  Fantagraphics Books published his "The Flames of Gyro" in 1979.  And from 2000 to 2005, he published his Flash Gordon-like adventure strip, "Aroc of Zenith," on the Internet.

From BleedingCool:  Scott Snyder will leave All-Star Batman sometimes next year.


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BLURB X-MEN REVIEWS:

X-MEN: GOLD #1 (Marvel Comics – June 2017) by Marc Guggenheim, Ardian Syaf, and Jay Leisten with Frank Martin

“Back to Basics” Part 1:  On the Interwebs, I have come across people saying that X-Men: Gold is writer Marc Guggenheim's return to the halcyon days of the X-Men when Chris Claremont wrote Uncanny X-Men.  Claremont wrote X-Men/Uncanny X-Men beginning with X-Men #94 in 1975 until the early 1991 when he quit the franchise.  Not all of those days were gold.  Quite frankly, after John Byrne left as co-plotter/penciller with Uncanny X-Men #143, Claremont long run, as basically the solo writer, was inconsistent.  There were some good stories, but also a surprising amount of mediocrity and redundancy, with only a few high points, high mostly because of artists like Paul Smith, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Alan Davis.

Judging only by this first issue, Guggenheim seems to be summoning the average days of Claremont.  But hey, this is only the first issue; still, I don't hold out hope.  I think that it will be obvious by the third issue if X-Men: Gold will be exceptional or be what most recent X-Men comic books have been, average at best.

On the other hand...

X-MEN: BLUE #1 (Marvel Comics – June 2017) by Cullen Bunn, Jorge Molina and Matteo Buffagni with Matt Milla

Now, this is an X-Men comic book in the best sense of that description.  It has the original X-Men fighting an early X-Men adversary, and I am a total sucka for Juggernaut.  Writer Cullen Bunn gets it where Marc Guggenheim in X-Men: Gold doesn't get it – or at least not yet.  When you can't be imaginative, inventive, and original when it comes to writing the X-Men, be shocking and surprising.  And Bunn delivers shocks and surprises here that are sweet, and he made invent later.

This first issue is simply a joy to read and it has a snazzy cover by Art Adams (who delivers good comic book cover art about 9 out of 10 times).  I am not crazy about the art team of Molina & Buffagni, but I'll tolerate them if the upcoming issues deliver on the last page of the main story; deliver on the back-up story; and deliver on “More Things to Come in X-Men Blue.”

Posted:  Wednesday, May 10, 2017
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From ComicsBeat:  Heidi MacDonald on the recent DC Comics editorial alignment.

From BleedingCool:  Updates on the Ardian Syaf controversy regarding hidden messages he placed in his art for "X-Men: Gold #1."

From YahooMovies:  Robert Kirkman, creator of "The Walking Dead," apologizes for a death in issue #167 of the comic book.

From DCComics:  Read the press release: "DC Entertainment Expands Editorial Leadership Team."

From BleedingCool:  Take a look inside "Dark Days: The Forge," the prequel to DC Comics' event "Dark Nights: Metal."

From TheBristolBoard:  An online portfolio of unusual John Buscema art, unusual for the late artist who was known for his long association with Marvel's "Conan the Barbarian" and short stint as the first artist on the first "Wolverine" solo comic book series.

From Kickstarter:  Cartoonist Shaenon K. Garrity has a Kickstarter. (from "The Comics Reporter)

From BleedingCool:  Apparently, Marvel destroys Las Vegas in  "Secret Empire #2.

From BleedingCool:  This Jim Lee cover art for "Dark Nights: Metal" will be on a metallic cover.

From BleedingCool:  The "Love is Love" anthology added to list of 2017 Eisner Award nominees.

From YahooTV:  Marvel Comics, in a statement to ABC News, says that it hears fans' concerns about the Hydra-Captain America.

From TIME:  If you are wondering about Marvel Comics' "Black Panther and the Crew," here is an interview "Time Magazine" did with series writer, Ta-Nihisi Coastes.

From ComicCon:  The 2017 Eisner Award nominations have been announced.

From BleedingCool:  Writer Matthew Rosenberg wanted Eisner props for Khary Randolph for his "Black" covers.

From StarTribune:  Neil Gaiman says "American Gods" rooted in Wisconsin-Minnesota weirdness.

From BleedingCool:  Greg Capullo offers a pencil sketch of Wonder Woman from the upcoming "Dark Nights: Metal."

From GoFundMe:  Writer James Hudnall really needs your help. [Thanks to "The Comics Reporter" for the heads up.]

From PeterDavid:  Another comic book creator/writer is in distress, Peter David. [Thanks again to "The Comics Reporter."]

From YahooTV:  Did you like Starz's "American Gods" TV series' debut?  Here, is a recap from the site.


Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Bryan Hitch
PENCILS: Bryan Hitch
INKS: Daniel Henriques with Wade von Grawbadger and Andrew Currie
COLORS: Alex Sinclair with Jeromy Cox
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Bryan Hitch with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVERS: Bryan Hitch with Alex Sinclair; Howard Porter with Hi-Fi (Joker 75th Anniversary Cover)
56pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“Power and Glory”

The Justice League is DC Comics' ultimate superhero team.  Conceived by Gardner Fox, the team first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #28 (cover dated: March 1960).  The Justice League received its own comic book series, Justice League of America (cover dated: October 1960), which is the name by which the team was known for decades.  The name “Justice League” was emphasized as a comic book title beginning with the debut of Justice League #1 (cover dated: May 1987).

The name Justice League of America (or “JLA”) returns bigger and badder than ever in the new “DCYou” series,  Justice League of America.  It written and drawn by Bryan Hitch; inked by Daniel Henriques (with Wade von Grawbadger and Andrew Currie); colored by Alex Sinclair (with Jeromy Cox); and lettered by Chris Eliopoulos.

Justice League of America #1 (“Power and Glory”) opens with the destruction of Earth and the death of Superman.  Say what?!  Superman has been summoned to The Infinity Corporation in New York City.  There, he meets Alexis Martin and an arrogant, self-declared genius named Vincent.  They have shocking news about the fate of existence and its connection to Superman.

Meanwhile, something powerful and hungry is spirited from “The Maw,” the super-max prison in Metropolis.  This creature will give Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, Batman, and Cyborg all they can handle and more.  Also, Aquaman has a date with a god in Atlantis.

In StormWatch Volume 2 #4, Bryan Hitch and writer Warren Ellis unleashed “widescreen comics” on American superhero comic book readers.  The costumed super-powered people were big.  The action was bigger, and the destruction was massive.  Bryan Hitch, obviously influenced by fellow British comic book artist, Alan Davis, took Davis stylish compositions and lush brushwork and made it heavy.  It was like Davis pumped up on P.E.D.s (performance enhancing drugs).  Ellis's big stories and Hitch's double-X-L art made StormWatch, a dumpster, frivolous Wildstorm comic book, an exciting read and a buzzed-about comic book.  Hitch would later bring widescreen to Marvel's The Ultimates, a re-imagining of the Avengers, written by Mark Millar.

Now, Bryan Hitch brings massive widescreen, as both writer and artist, to the Justice League.  Not only is the graphical storytelling in Justice League of America #1 big; the issue itself has 50 pages of story, which is massive compared to today's anemic 20 and 22-page comic books.  And, in a shared victory for both quantity and quality, Justice League of America #1 is worth the $5.99 cover price.

Hitch offers a story that is worthy of both the Justice League as a team and of its individual members.  “Power and Glory” isn't overly complicated, but it offers action in a epic manner that is similar to “Justice League” (2001-2004) Cartoon Network animated series.

I'm excited about Bryan Hitch's Justice League of America, which he apparently has been working on for more than a year before the series debuted.  Over my time of reading comic books, I have been ambivalent about the Justice League, but both Justice League and Justice League of America comic book series have made me more excited about this franchise than I have ever been.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


Friday, September 18, 2015

Review: MIDNIGHTER #1

MIDNIGHTER #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Steve Orlando
PENCILS: Aco
INKS: Aco with Hugo Petrus
COLORS: Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
LETTERS: Jarek K. Fletcher
COVER: Aco with Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
VARIANT COVER: Bryan Hitch with Alex Sinclair
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

“Midnighter”

Midnighter is a superhero created by writer Warren Ellis and artist Bryan Hitch.  The character first appeared in Stormwatch (Vol. 2) #4 and later became a member of the superhero team, The Authority.  Midnighter has superhuman abilities and is known for killing his opponents and is Batman-like, although Warren Ellis apparently based him on The Shadow.  The Midnighter is also gay.

As part of the “DCYou,” Midnighter stars in his first solo comic book series since his 2007 Wildstorm series.  The new Midnighter is written by Steve Orlando; drawn by Aco with Hugo Petrus assisting on inks; colored by Romulo Fajardo, Jr., and lettered by Jared K. Fletcher.

Midnighter #1 (“Midnighter”) opens with an attack on “The God Garden,” some kind of orbiting platform, and the attacker wants its secrets and “toys” (biotech weapons).  Meanwhile, terrorists from the country(?) of Modora attack the restaurant where Midnighter is entertaining a guest.  This is a time of transition for the hero, but duty calls even when he is on a booty call.  Who is Lucas Trent?

Writer Steve Orlando is so cryptic in Midnighter #1.  Either he assumes that there are a lot of Midnighter fans who just want a book featuring the character or he plans on mostly starting from scratch with the character.  I hope its the latter.

Series artist Aco is talented; I must admit that he draws pretty pictures, but in Midnighter #1, his storytelling is only average.  He litters the page with a smattering of tiny panels.  I think that Aco does this to depict Midnighter's tactical ability to see multiple points of view and to predict his opponent's every move.  In terms of storytelling, splattering panels across the page creates static that disrupts the ability of a series of static images to tell a story.

My prediction is that this new Midnighter comic book series is a short-timer.  I would be surprised if it lasts a year.

C

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.



Tuesday, August 18, 2015

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 19, 2015

DC COMICS

JUN150317     ASTRO CITY #26     $3.99
JUN150250     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT #7     $3.99
JUN150236     BIZARRO #3     $2.99
JUN150178     BLACK CANARY #3     $2.99
MAY150240     CONSTANTINE TP VOL 04 THE APOCALYPSE ROAD TP     $14.99
JUN150184     DOCTOR FATE #3     $2.99
JUN150237     DOOMED #3     $2.99
MAY150265     FAIREST TP VOL 05 THE CLAMOR FOR GLAMOUR (MR)     $14.99
MAY150238     GOTHAM BY MIDNIGHT TP VOL 01 WE DO NOT SLEEP     $14.99
MAY150236     GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS TP VOL 06 STORMING THE GATES     $14.99
JUN150268     GREEN LANTERN THE LOST ARMY #3     $2.99
JUN150261     HARLEY QUINN & POWER GIRL #3     $3.99
JUN150195     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR FOUR #8     $2.99
JUN150202     JLA GODS AND MONSTERS #2     $3.99
JUN150172     JUSTICE LEAGUE #43     $3.99
JUN150289     MAD MAGAZINE #535     $5.99
JUN158277     MAD MAX FURY ROAD MAX #1 2ND PTG (MR)     $4.99
JUN150207     MARTIAN MANHUNTER #3     $2.99
MAY150268     NAMES TP (MR)     $16.99
JUN150262     ROBIN SON OF BATMAN #3     $3.99
JUN150223     SECRET SIX #5     $2.99
JUN150225     SENSATION COMICS FEATURING WONDER WOMAN #13     $3.99
APR150303     SUPERMAN HC VOL 06 THE MEN OF TOMORROW     $24.99
JUN150232     SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #20     $3.99
JUN150275     TEEN TITANS GO #11     $2.99
JUN150226     WONDER WOMAN #43     $3.99
APR150306     WONDER WOMAN BY GEORGE PEREZ OMNIBUS HC     $75.00

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

FEB150302     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY BRYAN HITCH     $79.95
FEB150297     DC COMICS DESIGNER JAE LEE SER 1 BATMAN AF     $24.95
FEB150299     DC COMICS DESIGNER JAE LEE SER 1 CATWOMAN AF     $24.95
FEB150296     DC COMICS DESIGNER JAE LEE SER 1 SUPERMAN AF     $24.95
FEB150298     DC COMICS DESIGNER JAE LEE SER 1 WONDER WOMAN AF     $24.95

Sunday, February 8, 2015

DC Comics Announces New Books and New Focus for June 2015

DC Entertainment Announces New Books, New Creators, Broader Focus for the DC Universe

Iconic Super Heroes & Super-Villains Universe is Diversifying To Make Room for More Types of Storytelling, More Fans

June Slate of Titles Includes Long-Awaited Return to DCU of Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis; Gene Luen Yang & Ming Doyle Join Team of Top Talent


BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This summer, DC Entertainment launches a bold new direction for the DC Universe (DCU) that is even more inclusive and accessible to a wider group of readers as the publisher continues to evolve comic storytelling for its next generation of fans. Award-winning, critically acclaimed writers are headlining the June 2015 slate of DC Comics’ new periodicals and graphic novels, including Gene Luen Yang, Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis, and Ming Doyle.

    “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June.”

Beginning June 3rd, the DC Comics line of comic books will consist of 24 brand-new series that will begin at issue number one, as well as 25 on-going, bestselling fan favorite series that will continue without a break in the issue numbering. The total number of periodicals in the DCU will be 49, with additional new titles debuting throughout the year.

“This heralds in a new era for the DC Universe which will allow us to publish something for everyone, be more expansive and modern in our approach and tell stories that better reflect the society around us,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June.”

DC Comics will be keenly focused on going back-to-basics with its legendary characters, like BATMAN, SUPERMAN and WONDER WOMAN, while also reinventing key characters, such as BLACK CANARY, BIZARRO, CYBORG and STARFIRE, with a new contemporary tonality to ensure a diverse offering of titles. Top writers and artists, as well as emerging fresh voices, are on board to help create an expansive lineup of comics that appeals to a broad audience of fans.

Depicting some of these iconic characters in a more contemporary light include National Book Award finalist Gene Luen Yang who will join artist John Romita Jr. in the ongoing adventures of SUPERMAN. Comic superstar artist Bryan Hitch will write and draw new tales of the world’s greatest heroes in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA. The pitch perfect team of Garth Ennis and John McCrea returns to DC Comics for a limited series called SECTION EIGHT featuring characters from their popular Hitman comic. VERTIGO creator Ming Doyle will be lending her talents to DC Comics, penning CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER along with newcomer artist Riley Rossmo.

“More than ever before, DC Comics fans are being exposed to our rich portfolio of characters through multiple sources, including an unprecedented number of highly successful TV shows, video games and upcoming major motion pictures,” said Co-Publisher Jim Lee. “We are looking to extend that experience within publishing to ensure there is a comic book for everyone. For example, fans of the ARROW television show may want more stories about BLACK CANARY. Now they can find modern, fresh takes on the character in the pages of her standalone series both in stores and digitally.”

Breakout star, Brenden Fletcher, co-writer behind the all new, highly successful BATGIRL book will also be writing the new BLACK CANARY series launching in June. Fan favorites Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti will be the creative team on new titles STARFIRE and HARLEY QUINN/POWER GIRL and will continue to helm the perennially bestselling HARLEY QUINN.

“Beyond character and creators, the June slate will showcase different styles and approaches to storytelling as we add offbeat, irreverently funny titles such as BIZARRO, BAT-MITE and PREZ,” said Lee. “Truly there will be something for everybody as we simultaneously celebrate our rich legacy while embracing new voices and concepts.”

A first look at upcoming storylines will be the focus of DC Entertainment’s Free Comic Book Day issue – DC COMICS: DIVERGENCE – available Saturday, May 2, featuring three 8-page previews for the June releases of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s BATMAN, as well as Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok’s launch of the Darkseid War within JUSTICE LEAGUE featuring the biggest villains in the DCU – Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor, and Gene Luen Yang's DC Comics debut with celebrated artist John Romita, Jr on SUPERMAN. More than half-a million free issues of the DC Entertainment sampler will be given away at comic book retailers globally.

“In this new era of storytelling, story will trump continuity as we continue to empower creators to tell the best stories in the industry,” said DiDio.

To learn more about the June DC Universe slate, visit www.dccomics.com.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the world’s largest English-language publisher of comics.

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Sunday, October 12, 2014

I Reads You Review: THE MULTIVERSITY #1

THE MULTIVERSITY #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER: Grant Morrison
PENCILS: Ivan Reis
INKS: Joe Prado
COLORS: Nei Ruffino
LETTERS: Todd Klein
COVER: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado with Nei Ruffino
VARIANT COVERS: Chris Burnham with Nathan Fairbairn (after Joe Shuster); Bryan Hitch with Alex Sinclair; Grant Morrison
48pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (October 2014)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“House of Heroes”

The Multiversity is the latest comic book event series from DC Comics.  It is also a long-awaited event series, as this project was first announced several years ago.  The Multiversity is a limited series consisting of interrelated one-shot comic books set in the “DC Multiverse.”  Specifically, this is the Multiverse as it exists after The New 52, the re-launch of the DC Comics Universe that occurred in 2011.

If I understand correctly, the series will be comprised of eight comics.  Grant Morrison will write all eight, but each comic book will be drawn by a different artist.  The first issue, The Multiversity #1, is written by Morrison, drawn by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado, colored by Nei Ruffino, and lettered by the great Todd Klein.

The Multiversity #1 (“Hall of Heroes”) opens in a college dorm room, where a young African-American man is trying to understand what may be a haunted comic book.  The story moves to Earth-7, where Nix Uotan, the Superjudge and last of the Multiversal Monitors, saves a superhero, Thunderer, from certain doom at the hands of five demonic invaders:  Dame Merciless, Hellmachine, Lord Broken, Demogorounn, and Intellectron.

Meanwhile, Superman of Earth-23 finds himself spirited away to the Monitor Watchstation, also known as Valla-hal the “House of Heroes.”  Here, the greatest heroes of Fifty-Two worlds have been summoned to protect the Multiverse.  None of them have any idea of what they face.

If I had to guess (and I have to since I'm trying to communicate with you, dear readers, through this review), I would guess that The Multiversity is influenced by DC Comics' now-legendary comic book crossover event, Crisis on Infinite Earths.  I think the JLA/JSA crossover events that occurred in the original Justice League of America comic book series, every year from 1963 to 1985, also inspires The Multiversity.  In fact, I have read a few of those annual crossover stories, and The Multiversity #1, in terms of storytelling and in Ivan Reis' art, reminds me of them.

Basically,  The Multiversity #1 is old-school DC Comics (pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths) mixed with Grant Morrison's penchant for weirdness and mythology, and his... taste... for Alan Moore and Michael Moorcock.  It's a fun read.  I don't know if this event is meant to be world(s)-shattering, but it sure doesn't seem like it.  It's more goofy fun than anything else.

I won't lie to you.  This is far from a great comic book, but it is, for the most part, good.  You know, there are enough Black and African-American superheroes in The Multiversity #1 to make a Tarzan movie or at least, a Milestone Media comic book, so I can't help but like it.  I am going to follow this series in its entirety because of this first issue, although I had planned on not reading past the first issue.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.


Monday, September 1, 2014

I Reads You Review: BATMAN #33

BATMAN #33
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: Greg Capullo
INKS: Danny Miki
COLORS: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Dezi Sienty
COVER: Greg Capullo and Danny Miki with FCO Plascencia
VARIANT COVERS: Paolo Rivera; Bryan Hitch with Alex Sinclair
48pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (September 2014)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

I finally got around to reading Batman #33, which contains the final chapter of the Batman event story, “Zero Year.”  Written by Scott Snyder and drawn by Greg Capullo, this 12-issue “graphic novel” only ran through the ongoing Batman title, beginning with Batman #21.  [Batman #28 was a preview of the current weekly Batman comic book, Batman Eternal.]

I seem to remember it being announced as a ten-issue event, and that would have been about right... at least for me.  After reading Batman #31, I thought that issue needed to end.  Yeah, “Zero Year” was too long.  I also think that “Zero Year” is really The New 52 take on the Frank Miller-David Mazzuchelli classic, “Batman: Year One,” which was originally published in Batman (1940) #404 to #407.

In “Zero Year,” the Riddler (Edward Nygma) successfully launches a massive and complicated plot that leaves Gotham City without some utilities (including power).  Gotham is essentially in a blackout and is closed from the rest of the world.  It becomes a dead city, as if it were plunged into some kind of post-apocalyptic future, where the infrastructure decays and plants and foliage take over.


Batman #33 finds Batman in the clutches of the Riddler.  He must battle the villain in a game of riddles to save Gotham by keeping a series of weather balloons filled with a dangerous chemical agent (basically a weapon of mass destruction) from being activated.  At the same time, military jets make a final run to bomb Gotham.  Batman does not battle alone to save his city, but policeman Jim Gordon and Wayne Enterprises Industries employee, Lucius Fox, may not be able to help Batman... or even save the city.

Although I found “Zero Year” to be too long, I did think that individual issues within the event were quite good (such as #31).  I liked that Scott Snyder invested a considerable amount of the narrative delving in the personalities, quirks, motivations, etc. of not only Batman, but also of his supporting cast.  Their is a deeply emotional component to Bruce Wayne's relationship with his butler/partner, Alfred Pennyworth, and Snyder depicts this “union” as an emotional landscape fraught with landmines, apt to explode into shouting matches.  Like our real world, loved ones can use words to hurt, and I think Snyder gives Bruce and Alfred's relationship as much worth as that between Batman and Alfred.

“Zero Year” is also a star turn for the art team of penciller Greg Capullo and inker Danny Miki.  Since he starting drawing Batman with the birth of The New 52 back in 2011, Capullo has fully emerged from the mystery world and curious comics ghetto of Todd McFarlane, where Capullo toiled for years on McFarlane's Spawn comic book.  Capullo's Batman compositions have been stylishly quirky and oddly visually appealing.  Miki's intricate inking seems to precisely trace the pencils, but always improves the art.  With Miki, Capullo creates comic book art that seems like a modern take on the primordial graphics of early Batman comic books.

I like “Zero Year” most of all because of the art.  I am also curious to see where Snyder takes the ongoing Batman series post-event.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.



Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 5 2014

IMAGE COMICS

JAN140574 APOCALYPSE AL #2 CVR A KOTIAN & FARMER (MR) $2.99
JAN140575 APOCALYPSE AL #2 CVR B OLIVETTI (MR) $2.99
NOV130436 BEDLAM TP VOL 02 $14.99
DEC138449 BLACK SCIENCE #3 2ND PTG (MR) $3.50
JAN140578 BURN THE ORPHANAGE BORN TO LOSE #3 CVR A GRACE (MR) $4.99
JAN140579 BURN THE ORPHANAGE BORN TO LOSE #3 CVR B COKER (MR) $4.99
DEC130564 CLONE #15 $2.99
JAN140543 DARKNESS VICIOUS TRADITIONS #1 $3.99
DEC138465 DEAD BODY ROAD #2 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99
JAN140584 DRUMHELLAR #5 (MR) $3.50
JAN140552 FATALE DLX ED HC VOL 01 (MR) $39.99
JAN140595 INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE #11 $2.99
AUG130699 JUPITERS LEGACY #4 CVR A QUITELY (MR) $2.99
AUG130700 JUPITERS LEGACY #4 CVR B HITCH (MR) $2.99
OCT138154 JUPITERS LEGACY #4 CVR C MCQUE (MR) $2.99
DEC138467 MANIFEST DESTINY #1 4TH PTG $2.99
DEC130561 PROGENY VALUE PACK $10.00
DEC130589 REVIVAL #18 (MR) $2.99
NOV130453 SATELLITE SAM TP VOL 01 (MR) $9.99
DEC130593 SAVIORS #3 (MR) $2.99
SEP130637 SECRET #6 $3.50
JAN140531 STARLIGHT #1 CVR A CASSADAY (MR) $2.99
JAN140532 STARLIGHT #1 CVR B PARLOV (MR) $2.99
JAN140539 TALES OF HONOR #1 CVR A YOON $2.99
JAN140540 TALES OF HONOR #1 CVR B SEJIC $2.99
JAN140541 TALES OF HONOR #1 CVR C EKEDAL $2.99
JAN140542 TALES OF HONOR #1 CVR D TATAPOLOUS $2.99
NOV130530 VELVET #4 (MR) $2.99
JAN140559 WALKING DEAD TP VOL 20 ALL OUT WAR PT 1 (MR) $14.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

NOV130541 WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 5 CHARRED WALKER AF PI
NOV130537 WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 5 GLENN AF PI
NOV130539 WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 5 MAGGIE AF PI
NOV130540 WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 5 MERLE WALKER AF PI
NOV130538 WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 5 TYREESE AF PI


Friday, November 1, 2013

Valiant Comics for November 2013

VALIANT Solicitations for NOVEMBER 2013

UNITY #1
Written by MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Pullbox Exclusive Variants by BRYAN HITCH, J.G. JONES, TRAVEL FOREMAN, PAOLO RIVERA and CLAYTON CRAIN
8-Bit Evolution Variant by DONOVAN SANTIAGO
Valiant Signature Series Variant by BART SEARS
Variant Cover by NEAL ADAMS
B&W Sketch Variant by NEAL ADAMS
Blank Variant also available
Team USA Luge Variant also available

To kill a king, he has created an army.

The world's most dangerous man, Toyo Harada, has been struck by the one thing he never thought possible – fear. Halfway across the globe, a new power threatens to topple modern civilization and, to preempt the cataclysm that is to come, Harada will unite the most lethal, most volatile, most unforgiving team the world has ever known – UNITY. Their mission: defeat the warrior king armed with the universe's most powerful weapon. Kill X-O Manowar!

Be here when New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Justice League of America, Mind MGMT) and superstar artist Doug Braithwaite (Justice, Journey into Mystery) launch Valiant's first-ever superteam into the landmark comic book event of the year with an all-new ongoing series in UNITY #1, featuring covers by a murderer's row of comics juggernauts – Doug Braithwaite, JG Jones, Bryan Hitch, Paolo Rivera, Clayton Crain, Travel Foreman, and Neal Adams!

You've heard the buzz, you've seen the reviews. If you still haven't jumped onto Valiant Comics, the time is now! This November, UNITY is the perfect entry point for new readers.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE NOVEMBER 13th!
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X-O MANOWAR #19 (UNITY TIE-IN)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by CARY NORD
Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA
Variant Cover by BART SEARS

All-new arc, all-new jumping-on point! X-O Manowar goes head-to-head against the forces of UNITY!

Aric of Dacia has fought to reclaim the ancestral lands of the Visigoths – and he has bled for it.  But nothing he has faced before can prepare him for the combined might of UNITY – and the deadly combination of Harada, Ninjak, Eternal Warrior and Livewire! New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Green Lantern) and Eisner Award winner Cary Nord (X-O Manowar: Planet Death) reunite for a landmark, standalone story arc at the heart of UNITY.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE NOVEMBER 20th! 
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QUANTUM AND WOODY #5
Written by JAMES ASMUS
Art by LEE GARBETT
Cover by ANDREW ROBINSON
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by LEE GARBETT
Variant Cover by DAVID LOPEZ
Variant Cover by MIKE McKONE

All-new arc, all-new jumping-on point! All-new…problems?

Eric and Woody have had their lives turned upside down. What do you do when the most annoying person in your life is also the only thing keeping you alive? You move in with him! And his goat. And his barely legal clone girlfriend. Besides, every team of heroes needs a secret headquarters…and this one has a slightly used hot tub. Plus: Quantum meets his first true super-villain!

Attention fans and retailers: Look for the Quantum and Woody Vol. 1 TPB in stores the same day! Intro priced at only $9.99!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE NOVEMBER 6th! 
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ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #15
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art by KHARI EVANS
Cover by CLAYTON HENRY
Variant Cover by MICHAEL WALSH

WARNING: This is no longer a (FINGER QUOTES) "fun" comic.

Now that the Sect Civil War has begun, it is now a (FINGER QUOTES) "grim" and (FINGER QUOTES) "gritty" work of (REAL QUOTES) "sequential literature" with blood and headshots and naughty words (like "H-E-DOUBLE-HOCKEY-STICKS") and if you squint real hard at the backgrounds, maybe boobies.

In this particular issue that will change the Valiant Universe forever*, the man now calling himself Dark Archer (NOTE TONAL SHIFT) must find his former partner Armstrong so they can reunite to stop the aforementioned Sect Civil War.

And there are almost no fart jokes.

Okay, one.

(* FOREVER = APPROX. 20 MINUTES)

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE NOVEMBER 13th! 
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SHADOWMAN #12
Written by ALES KOT, CHRISTOPHER SEBELA, and NEIL DVORAK
Art by CLAYTON CRAIN, MICO SUAYAN, and NEIL DVORAK
Cover by DAVE JOHNSON
Variant Cover by KEKAI KOTAKI

An all-star anthology of Shadowman tales from the Deadside and beyond!

Superstar artist Clayton Crain and a stellar roster of all-star creators bring you not one, not two, but three chilling Shadowman stories. Ales Kot (Suicide Squad, Zero), Christopher Sebela (Captain Marvel, Screamland), and Neil Dvorak (Easy Pieces) push the outer bounds of the world of Shadowman further than ever before! 

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE NOVEMBER 6th!
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ETERNAL WARRIOR #3
Written by GREG PAK
Art by TREVOR HAIRSINE
Cover by J.G. JONES
Variant Cover by RILEY ROSSMO

Save the Wizard!

Hungry for glory as the new Fist and Steel, the Eternal Warrior's daughter Xaran has started a war between the mysterious Houses that rule the world. Now, as Gilad struggles to contain his daughter's savage nature, two generations of Eternal Warrior race after the answers that lie between science and myth, rumor and legend, conquest and defeat.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE NOVEMBER 20th! 
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BLOODSHOT AND H.A.R.D. CORPS #16
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE & JOSHUA DYSART
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER
Variant Cover by CHRISCROSS

Sometimes gunslingers go out the hard way.

H.A.R.D. Corps has just experienced its first fatality. Bloodshot is severely weakened. He and Charlie are at each other’s throats. And the new rookies are a mess. It would be suicide to take on Harada now…so that’s exactly what they’ll do.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE NOVEMBER 20th! 
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HARBINGER #18
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by BARRY KITSON
Cover by MICHAEL WALSH
Variant Cover by ANDREW ROBINSON

Nothing is what it seems when hyper-psychics go to war.

Scattered across their own mental landscapes, each one of the remaining Renegades must quest to unite with the others or be lost forever inside themselves. It will take courage, strength, imagination and an unwavering belief in one another if they're going to discover the dark truth behind their Perfect Day.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE NOVEMBER 13th! 
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QUANTUM AND WOODY VOL. 1: THE WORLD'S WORST SUPERHERO TEAM TPB
Written by JAMES ASMUS
Art by TOM FOWLER
Cover by RYAN SOOK

Those guys are the worst.

Once upon a time, Eric and Woody Henderson were inseparable. Adopted brothers. Best friends. Brilliant minds. Years later, they are estranged siblings, petty rivals, and washed-up failures. But when their father’s murder leads them into the throes of a life-altering scientific accident, Eric and Woody will find themselves with a whole new purpose – and a perfectly legitimate reason to wear costumes and fight crime. Go big or go home, folks! Quantum and Woody are coming! (And, yes, there is a goat too.)

Collecting QUANTUM AND WOODY #1-4 by creators James Asmus (Thief of Thieves) and Tom Fowler (Hulk: Season One), start reading here to jump into the action-packed, zeitgeist-shredding exploitation stunt comic that Comic Book Resources calls "yet another critically acclaimed hit for Valiant Comics."

$9.99/T+/112 pgs.
TRADE PAPERBACK
ISBN: 978-1-939346-18-6
ON SALE NOVEMBER 6th! 
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HARBINGER DELUXE EDITION VOL. 1 HC
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by KHARI EVANS, TREVOR HAIRSINE, MICO SUAYAN, BARRY KITSON, PHIL BRIONES, LEE GARBETT, PERE PEREZ, and MATTHEW CLARK
Cover by MICO SUAYAN

An oversized, deluxe hardcover collecting the landmark first year of Harbinger in the Valiant Universe!

Outside the law. Inside your head. You've never met a team of super-powered teenagers quite like the Renegades. Skipping across the country in a desperate attempt to stay one step ahead of the authorities, psionically-powered teenager Peter Stanchek only has one option left – run. But he won't have to go it alone. As the shadowy corporation known as the Harbinger Foundation draws close on all sides, Peter will have to find and recruit other unique individuals like himself… other troubled, immensely powerful youths with abilities beyond their control. Their mission? Bring the fight back to the Harbinger Foundation's founder Toyo Harada – and dismantle his global empire brick by brick…

Collecting the sold-out HARBINGER #0-14, the Harbinger Deluxe Edition Vol. 1 HC also comes jam-packed with more than 20 pages of never-before-seen art and extras, direct from the Valiant vaults.

$39.99/T+/384 pgs.
OVERSIZED HARDCOVER
ISBN: 978-1-939346-13-1
ON SALE NOVEMBER 13th!
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VALIANT MASTERS: RAI VOL. 1 – FROM HONOR TO STRENGTH HC
Written by DAVID MICHELINIE
Art by JOE ST. PIERRE, PETER GRAU, and SAL VELLUTO
Cover by JOE ST. PIERRE

The legendary future of the Valiant Universe – back in print after 20 years!

4001 A.D. - Tohru Nakadai is the 42nd Rai, the spirit guardian of Japan. Infused with the energy of his ancestors and dedicated to the way of the samurai, Rai is sworn to the service of Grandmother – the personified artificial intelligence that governs the island nation of Japan. For forty generations Grandmother's benevolent dominion has endured, but in the wake of her sudden disappearance, Rai will become all that stands between his nation and all-out chaos. As humanist factions war with mechanist loyalists for control of the future, the masterless Tohru is about to become the first Rai that must choose for himself how best to defend his people, his family, and his honor.

Collecting RAI (1992) #1-8 in a deluxe hardcover format for the first time anywhere, revisit the future of the original Valiant Universe with Rai’s critically acclaimed, highly sought-after adventures from legendary creators David Michelinie (Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man), Joe St. Pierre (Spider-Man 2099), Peter Grau (Titans) and Sal Velluto (Bloodshot)!

$24.99/T+/184 pgs.
HARDCOVER
ISBN: 978-1-939346-07-0
ON SALE NOVEMBER 27th!




Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Review: MIGHTY AVENGERS #1

MIGHTY AVENGERS (2013) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Al Ewing
PENCILS: Greg Land
INKS: Jay Leisten
COLORS: Frank D’Armata
LETTERS: Cory Petit
COVER: Greg Land with Lee Duhig
VARIANT COVERS:  Bryan Hitch with Laura Martin; Carlo Barberi with Edgar Delgado; Leonel Castellani; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2013)

Rated T+

In comic books, how does one master the art of creating the first issue?  I say “art” because I think that producing a great first issue and continuing that into an exceptional comic book series, is an art.  The number of creators who can (1) produce a great first issue, (2) continue that into a distinguished comic book series, and (3) accomplish that feat more than once is relatively small.  I say Alan Moore, Peter Bagge, Kyle Baker, Brian Michael Bendis, Howard Chaykin, Daniel Clowes, Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, and Frank Miller, among others.

[Of course, there are creators who produce great first issues which only result in uneven series.  Can you say Grant Morrison?]

And then, there are the creators you wonder about.  They deliver an unspectacular first issue, and that makes me suspicious about the rest of the series.  In a market crowded with superhero comic books, the creative team has to open with a bang.  The new reader/customer needs something that seems like more than just the first chapter of an upcoming trade paperback collection.

Out of Marvel Comics’ “Infinity” event comes a relaunch of Mighty Avengers.  British comic book writer Al Ewing and reliable artist Greg Land deliver the ultimate cookie cutter Avengers comic book in Mighty Avengers #1.  This comic book is not a bad cookie, but it is not a $3.99 cookie.

It is more like a cookie you can get in a $1 bag of cookies at a dollar store (Dollar General, Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, etc.).  So Mighty Avengers is not even the equivalent of a “quality” mass-produced cookie brand (Nabisco?).  It is certainly not a boutique shop cookie baked by two broke girls who just opened their own cookie shop with daddy’s money.

So what happens in this new comic book called Mighty Avengers?  The Avengers are off-world, handling someone else’s business, so who is handling their business back home?  Thanos sends a badass bitch named Proxima Midnight to take advantage of an Avenger-less Earth.  Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Luke Cage, Spectrum (formerly known as Negress Captain Marvel), Superior Spider-Man (more like Snobby Spider-Man), Power Man and a few others have conversations about themselves.  Then, they fight.

I think Mighty Avengers is supposed to be clever or at least funny in the vein of the old Keith Giffen-J.M. DeMatteis-Kevin Maguire Justice League.  It is neither.  So much for that wry British humor.  The computer program that Judith Krantz, Danielle Steel, and other bestselling authors supposedly use to write their novels must be similar to the tech Greg Land uses to draw his clone superhero comic book art.  The result of Ewing and Land’s efforts is a comic book that is neither mighty nor spectacular, but it isn’t completely bad.  It is Avengers and if you like Avengers, well...

I have heard people describe Mighty Avengers as the “ethnic Avengers” or even the “black Avengers.”  I guess those could be somewhat accurate descriptions, but not when it comes to the creative team.  Marvel Comics editors act like they’re scared of n*gg*s... or at least can’t find Black comic book writers amongst their friends and colleagues.

Anyway, fans that just gots to have an Avengers fix will want Mighty Avengers, although (if you ask me) they need to diversify their reading list – if just a little.

C

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.




Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 25 2013

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

IMAGE COMICS

JUL130516 ARTIFACTS #31 [DIG] $3.99
JAN130494 CYBER FORCE REBIRTH TP VOL 01 [DIG] $9.99
JUL130420 EAST OF WEST #6 [DIG] $3.50
JUN130542 FATALE #17 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
JUN130477 HIP FLASK UNNATURAL SELECTION 10TH ANNIV ELEPHANTMEN ED HC $16.99
JUN130547 JUPITERS LEGACY #3 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
JUN138034 JUPITERS LEGACY #3 CVR B HITCH (MR) $2.99
JUN138035 JUPITERS LEGACY #3 CVR C PHILLIPS (MR) $2.99
JUL130404 RAT QUEENS #1 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
JUL130537 REVIVAL #14 [DIG] $2.99
JUL138176 SAGA #13 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99
JUL130538 SAGA #14 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
JUL130541 SEX #7 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
JUL130403 SEX CRIMINALS #1 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
SEP120445 SOHO DIVES SOHO DIVAS LTD ED HC (MR) $49.99
SEP120444 SOHO DIVES SOHO DIVAS TP (MR) [DIG] $29.99
JUL130469 SPAWN ORIGINS TP VOL 19 $14.99
JUL130431 TODD THE UGLIEST KID ON EARTH #5 [DIG] $2.99
JUL130500 WALKING DEAD 100 PROJECT TP (MR) $12.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

MAY131850 NFL PLAYMAKERS SERIES 4 AF PI
MAY131852 NFL PLAYMAKERS SERIES 4 CLAY MATTHEWS AF CS PI
MAY131853 NFL PLAYMAKERS SERIES 4 DEZ BRYANT AF CS PI
MAY131856 NFL PLAYMAKERS SERIES 4 KAEPERNICK AF CS PI
MAY131857 NFL PLAYMAKERS SERIES 4 RGIII AF CS PI
MAY131859 NFL PLAYMAKERS SERIES 4 RUSSELL WILSON AF CS PI
MAY131842 TMP SPORTS NFL SERIES 32 RAY RICE AF CS PI


Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 26 2013

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

IMAGE COMICS

APR130530 BOUNCE #2 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

MAR138377 BOUNCE #2 CVR B PICHELLI (MR) $2.99

APR130447 CHANGE TP (MR) $14.99

APR130532 CLONE #8 [DIG] $2.99

APR130536 ELEPHANTMEN #49 (MR) [DIG] $3.99

APR130421 FATALE #15 (MR) [DIG] $3.50

APR130422 FATALE TP VOL 03 (MR) [DIG] $14.99

APR130537 FIVE GHOSTS HAUNTING OF FABIAN GRAY #4 [DIG] $2.99

APR130450 HACK SLASH TP VOL 13 FINAL [DIG] $18.99

APR130437 HOAX HUNTERS CASE FILES #1 [DIG] $2.99

APR130544 JUPITERS LEGACY #2 CVR A QUITELY (MR) [DIG] $2.99

APR130545 JUPITERS LEGACY #2 CVR B HITCH (MR) $2.99

APR130546 JUPITERS LEGACY #2 CVR C JOCK (MR) $2.99

APR130420 LAZARUS #1 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

APR130457 MORIARTY DELUXE EDITION HC $29.99

APR130556 MORNING GLORIES #28 CVR A ESQUEJO (MR) [DIG] $3.99

APR130557 MORNING GLORIES #28 CVR B CHEGGOUR (MR) $3.99

APR130558 MORNING GLORIES #28 CVR C EISMA (MR) $3.99

APR130559 MORNING GLORIES #28 CVR D FORBES (MR) $3.99

APR130560 MORNING GLORIES #28 CVR E IRVING (MR) $3.99

APR130561 MORNING GLORIES #28 CVR F MOORE (MR) $3.99

APR130562 MORNING GLORIES #28 CVR G ROSSMO (MR) $3.99

APR130563 MORNING GLORIES #28 CVR H WILSON III (MR) $3.99

APR130459 OUTLAW TERRITORY GN VOL 03 (MR) $24.99

FEB130458 PROPHET #36 [DIG] $3.99

APR130570 SEX #4 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

FEB130470 THINK TANK #8 (MR) [DIG] $3.99

MAR130530 WITCHBLADE REBIRTH TP VOL 03 [DIG] $16.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

MAR130599 WALKING DEAD MICHONNE RESIN STATUE PI

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 22 2013

MARVEL COMICS

MAR130635 A PLUS X #8 NOW $3.99

FEB130628 A PLUS X TP VOL 01 EQUALS AWESOME $17.99

FEB138600 AGE OF ULTRON #4 2ND PTG HITCH VAR $3.99

FEB138601 ALL NEW X-MEN #10 2ND PTG IMMONEN VAR NOW $3.99

FEB138444 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #700 4TH PTG STEGMAN VAR $7.99

MAR130612 AVENGERS #12 NOW $3.99

FEB130650 CABLE AND X-FORCE CLASSIC TP VOL 01 $34.99

MAR130689 DAREDEVIL #26 $3.99

MAR130644 DEADPOOL #10 NOW2 $2.99

MAR130655 FANTASTIC FOUR #8 NOW2 $2.99

MAR130606 FEARLESS DEFENDERS #4AU NOW $3.99

FEB130635 FF BY JONATHAN HICKMAN TP VOL 04 $19.99

MAR130676 IRON MAN #258.3 $3.99

FEB130626 JIM FEATURING SIF TP VOL 01 STRONGER THAN MONSTERS NOW $15.99

MAR130656 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #652 NOW $2.99

MAR130700 MARVEL UNIVERSE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #14 $2.99

FEB130619 MMW FANTASTIC FOUR TP VOL 09 $24.99

MAR130711 POWERS BUREAU #4 (MR) $3.95

MAR130667 SCARLET SPIDER #17 $2.99

FEB130632 SECRET AVENGERS BY RICK REMENDER TP VOL 02 AVX $24.99

MAR130617 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #10 NOW $3.99

MAR130681 ULTIMATE COMICS WOLVERINE #4 $3.99

MAR130608 UNCANNY AVENGERS #8AU NOW2 $3.99

MAR130638 UNCANNY X-MEN #6 NOW $3.99

FEB130639 UNCANNY X-MEN BY KIERON GILLEN TP VOL 04 AVX $19.99

FEB130615 WOLVERINE BEST THERE IS TP COMPLETE SERIES $29.99

MAR130642 X-MEN LEGACY #11 NOW2 $2.99

MAR130629 YOUNG AVENGERS #5 NOW $2.99

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Comic Book Review: JUPITER'S LEGACY #1

JUPITER'S LEGACY #1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

CREATORS: Mark Millar and Frank Quitely
WRITER: Mark Millar
ARTIST/COVER: Frank Quitely
COLORS/LETTERS: Peter Doherty
VARIANT COVERS: Bryan Hitch, Dave Johnson, Phil Noto, J. Scott Campbell, Christian Ward
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (April 2013)

There is a new comic book series from superstar writer, Mark Millar, the creator of Kick-Ass and Wanted, both of which were adapted into films. It is entitled Jupiter’s Legacy, part of his “Millarworld” line, and Millar’s co-creator is artist Frank Quitely. The series focuses on the children of the world’s first superheroes and their struggles to live up to a legacy that is practically poisonous to the new generation.

Jupiter’s Legacy #1 opens in 1932 in Morocco. The story’s first focus is Sheldon Sampson, the heir to a fortune wiped out during the Wall Street crash of 1929. He has convinced his friends to follow him on a journey to a place he has seen only in his dreams. Called The Island, Sampson believes that the place will offer gifts that can save the United States of America, which is in the midst of the Great Depression.

A little over 80 years later, the great superheroes have achieved even greater things, but there is trouble. The world’s first superheroes have grown old, and their children cannot live up to their parents’ remarkable legacies.

I enjoyed reading Jupiter’s Legacy #1, but I cannot really render a final or whole judgment after reading one issue. That’s the curse of modern comics storytelling. A scant twenty pages of text plus decompression – spreading a storyline over four to six issues (if not more) and that combination forms a truncated chapter, if not a woefully incomplete episode.

I will say that there are some interesting ideas here. As intriguing as this take on superheroes is, Millar’s allusions to the current real world political and financial climate are the most attention grabbing material. Millar draws parallels between the 21st century and the 1920s and 30s in a brash way – as if to say that he does not care whether anyone agrees or disagrees to any extent.

Jupiter’s Legacy is not Frank Quitely’s best work, although, as usual, it is more attention-grabbing than the work of most other artists. For me, the best of Quitely remains New X-Men. Still, Quitely’s visual style is so unique and iconoclastic that I’d be interested in his art even if he were only producing still-life drawings for an extension course at the local junior college. Plus, Quitely’s compositions for Jupiter’s Legacy give off an unsettling vibe. Something bad is coming, and Quitely does something bad quite well.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

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